Socks! February 7, 2010
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Leah Says: Ah ha! Thanks to Emily and to youtube, I have successfully completed my first sock! I got past the heel flap- sometimes I read wayyyyy too much into a pattern. I’m well on my way to finishing the other one. The yarn, Classic Elite Fixation Solids, has a lot of elastic in it and it makes for some really comfy socks! Justin, (my lovely foot model here) has placed an order for a pair. These are for my Dad. I had no idea what to knit him, and socks just seemed to make sense. I hope he likes them! Love you Dad!
Next up is a small and easy cowl scarf for my Mom, that is just finishing up the yarn I used for her capelet. Money is a little tight right now, so I’m trying to be economic in my knitting for the next little while. Then I’m on to a baby blanket. This one is going to be a doozy, the pattern has K4tog’s!!! I have the worst time with the k3tog’s, so there may be some curse words that may be heard while I get the hang of that. The baby blanket is for friends of mine, C and T- I went to New York with them for New Years Eve this year and T is expecting a boy in June! For the colour I’m thinking something bold and not baby-ish. Like a deep purple or red or something.
Anyway- I’ll be finishing the other sock today while Justin and I watch bits and pieces of the superbowl. The bits and pieces will probably be the commercials and half-time show. 
I’m not a football fan and neither is Justin!
Knitting rocks my socks!
Leah
More christmas projects to share! And a question on sock knitting… February 2, 2010
Posted by cheryl in Leah, Socks, Work in Progress.2 comments
Leah says … Here are some other knitting christmas presents I made. These are the Maggie armwarmers from Subliminal Rabbit:
A Table Runner from a magazine with linen (love the look of linen wool!)
and placemats for my mom with mercerized cotton. and placemats for my mom with mercerized cotton.
and placemats for my mom with mercerized cotton:
I’m proud of myself! There are a few that I still don’t have picutres for yet they are, a pillow (my Mom is sweing it together for me) and another set of toddler armwarmers (exact same as the ones I did posted some time in May I think.) and I can truly say I honestly enjoyed knitting them, hiccups and all. The yarn for kara’s pillow was this super gorgeous chunky yarn, Twinkle by classic elite soft chunky, and my fingers were so happy to knit it- except that it was close to $30.00 a skein, and the pillow took exactly three to knit! Poor bank account! 
A question for you sock knitters out there. I am knitting my first pair of socks for my Pops, and after kntting the cuff and leg of the sock, I’m a little confused. These are the instructions, word for word, on the pattern:
“Heel Flap: Work 31 sts in patt, hold on N1 (heel will be worked on N2 and N3.) “
Ok, I got that- there are three needles the stiches are on, needle one I just continue in the leg pattern, no problem.
“1 (RS): Sl1, (k1, p1) rep to end of heel
2(ws): Sl1, (p1, K1) rep to end of heel.”
Ok, heres my question: This “row 2 Wrong Side” thing- how is that possible on dpns? Aren’t I always knitting on the right side? And actually I have another question. If I always slip the first stitch, then that stitch never gets knit and it’ll start to stretch out and I don’t think thats right. Anyone have any thoughts? Am I clear on what the problem is? I might be missing something about sock knitting, I think. Actually, here’s the link to the pattern:
http://ladyneaknitsalot.blogspot.com/2006/11/free-pattern.html
Please feel free to comment if you know the answer. The socks are knit with cascade yarns fixation solid, REALLY stretchy and soft. I really hope they turn out, it seems like an easy pattern to start sock knitting.
Here’s to the January blahs being almost over! Knitting sure does help with those!
Your faithful knitting blogger,
Leah
Christmas presents a success! January 20, 2010
Posted by cheryl in Finished Projects, Leah, Mittens, Scarves.2 comments
Leah says … Happy 2010, knitters!! I completed all my knitted presents before Christmas. Ok, I lie, all but one- socks for my dad. Those are coming up, after I knit bella’s mittens again for my aunt:
I was going to attempt my first pair of lace gloves, found in vogue 2009 autumn magazine- they are gorgeous! But the yarn I’m using (louet gems worsted weight) is way too thick and the lace looks super funky. This makes me really sad because, as you know, I’m trying my best at learning something new with each project and the challenge of knitting 5 fingers is sooo tempting! Anyway, my Dad’s socks are my first sock project, so I’m really looking forward to that.
I have finished a cable-tastic cap, also from Vogue fall 2009 issue- and have sworn off aluminum dpns forever. FOREVER! Never again! Wow, are they a headache to knit with or what? The fact that they’re 2 dollars/pair and bamboo are 10/pair is why I bought them in the first place, but nothing is worth the stress of watching them fall to the ground, unleashing my stitches to their own demise. The cable-tastic cap? Gorgeous! After blocking and fixing the gazillion droped stitches it turned out. I love it! This is for my aunt along with a trellis cable scarf. Trellis cables don’t use cable needles, they look like tiny little twists. Pictures coming soon, I promise.
By the way- a friend of mine has started sewing knitting bags- She gave one to me for Christmas and I get a ton of compliments on it and absolutely love it. It’s big enough to fit 16″ straight needles and my knitting tool bag and a ball of yarn, it’s so handy. She wants to start selling them- I will keep you posted. Pictures to come soon. Until then, you can have a look at these pics- there are a few projects I still need to snap- but bear with me. Soon, I will be up to date, soon!
Happy knitting!
Leah
Five Christmas Projects Coming Right Up… November 19, 2009
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Cheryl says… oh, it’s been a while my knitting friends! I’ve been toiling away on a few things which I won’t be able to post until January. I’ve decided to make ALL of my Christmas presents this year, a lofty task to say the least, especially considering that I haven’t even finished one holiday project!
First, I’ll be making something using Lion Brand Cotton Ease which, as you may already know, is a personal favourite of mine. I won’t say what the project is but here’s a hint: it’s a cable-knit pattern and it’s been heavily featured on this blog!
I’ve also picked up a project from the latest issue of Knitty. I was going to use black and white Patons DK, but this gorgeous wool tweed is catching my eye. I may have to make another trip to my LYS. Hmmm….
[photo credit]
I’m also going to be embarking on my first felting project! I’m a little nervous and have no idea what yarn to use. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
As for Wil’s present …
That’s super-classified-top-secret. Seeing as he visits this blog from time to time, that’s all I’m saying.
And now, back to the needles. I will post more soon, providing I don’t develop a bad case of carpal tunnel.
Crunch Time October 27, 2009
Posted by cheryl in Finished Projects, Leah, Scarves.add a comment
Leah says … That’s right. Christmas is less then two months away. It’s time to get down to business. Firstly, here is my brother’s girlfriends scarf to take with her to Ireland. They leave TONIGHT at 10:30 pm for a year. It is all a bit crazy and surreal. I can’t believe I won’t see my brother for a year! Good Luck, Brother! Anyway, I digress….
I still have about 8 presents to knit. I’m almost finished a couple of them. AND I found cute little ornament patterns to knit in Knit Simple Holiday 2009 magazine- they are sooo cute. I’ve knit about 5 ornaments already. I might attach an ornament to each present, but that is if I finish them pronto!
Since my last blog, I have learned a few things. They are:
Magic Loop (LOVE IT!)
Cables (LOVE THEM!)
Icord (it’s ok. I kind of think its annoying and I have no clue why.)
I have very successfully knit my first pair of Bella’s mittens. I say 1st pair as I am definitely going to knit them again. I’m halfway through a project for my sis with this super bulky yarn that I’m in desperate love with. It is so nice to knit with. I can’t stop touching it. (Dirty!) I’d also like to knit an afghan. That will be my Winter project. That will be for ME. This whole ‘knit all my presents’ thing is very consuming, but I truly am loving knitting them. I can’t wait to see everyone’s face when they see what their item is.
Also- another digression- I’m going to New York City for New Years Eve. We are flying on aeroplan and renting an apartment for 4 nights. I am saving every sheckle for that, and am beyond excited. Anyone know any knitting stores in New York City I have to stop at?
Peace out!
Luke’s hat for the Green Isle and Other Thoughts on Knitting September 24, 2009
Posted by cheryl in Hats, Leah.add a comment
Leah says … My brother and his girlfriend are travelling to Ireland and the UK for a year leaving at the end of October. After I dealt with my raging jealousy issues, that he can just get up and go like that, I decided to knit him and his girlfriend little items to keep them warm this winter. Although I hear that Ireland in the winter just rains a lot, maybe this will still come in handy. AND this means they won’t be here for the holidays, so they will still get some presents, at least. The patterns are from, you guessed it, SnB. The scarf is the basketweave stitch scarf from SnB Nation which I LOVE. I know, I KNOW I need to move AWAY from the Stitch N Bitch books. And I fully intend to do that, but a) I was ill and bored a couple of weeks ago and b) That is one thing about SnB I love- I can find an easy ‘knit in a few hours’ pattern that uses up all the yarn I have.
Next up, I’m knitting one of my dearest friends the Bella’s Mittens pattern from Subliminal Rabbit. Everyone else in our Knitting Circle has, so its time for me, too, and I’ll get to finally learn my cables and the magic loop. PLUS I have this Alpaca wool from the KW Knitters Fair that I got for super cheap that is gorgeous.
THEN I’ll be knitting with linen for the first time which I
m actually excited about. (I’m SUCH a flippin knitting dweeb. That honestly excites me. Knitting with linen yarn. Whatever!!!!) I found this grogeous table runner on ravelry with scalloped edges, and that will be for the bf’s cute parents for Christmas.
I recently reread our early blogs on here and realized I have done some serious damage to my to do list I posted way back in February! Great satisfaction, that.
I’m stumped on what to knit my Pops for Christmas. Anyone have ideas for knitted gifts for Dad’s?????
Hi, my name’s Leah. You may remember me from such Blogs as… September 16, 2009
Posted by cheryl in Leah.add a comment
Leah says … I have completed another yoga mat bag BUT this one is for my friend for Christmas. She is in to yoga and I think she’d probably use hers more then I use mine. I actually read the whole pattern this time and noticed I was supposed to use two strands together for the strap, so this one is better and stronger then mine. It’s ok, that’s how presents are supposed to be, right? I’m almost done knitting an oh so easy Moms Sophisticated scarf (from SnB Nation) for my brother’s gf, they are travelling Ireland for a year and I’d like to help keep them warm in the winter months! That is almost done. I have also knit my first hat for my brotrher and J has put in an order for that too. I have been doing lots of knitting, but not lots of blogging. Photo’s and blog on that coming soon!
Also, I had the best time of my life this past Saturday September 12th. Why? Kitchener Waterloo Knitters Guild Knitting Festival!! We all drove up there and drooled to our hearts content and made off with some amazing deals. You know how Carrie Bradshaw drools over Manolo’s? Well that was us over the bundles and bundles of yarn and knitting tools. If you went, those girls you heard saying, “ohhhhh ahhhhhhh ooooooooo” and blissfully sighing loudly…. that was us!
Next project I am finally learning the cables!
My Yo-Mat July 8, 2009
Posted by cheryl in Accessories, Finished Projects, Leah.1 comment so far
Leah says … It’s done! Well, it was done about two weeks ago, but all you knitters know what summer is like.
This bag is ok. It works. That’s why I knit it. It does what I need it to do. Nuff said. The yarn is from some store on Queen that Emily went to, she gave me this yarn, so ask her about it. It is tres fab. LOVED knitting with it.
Next on the list is a christmas gift for another friend, but I’m stumped! It’ll probably end up being a funky scarf.
1 dropped st scarf, 1 pair of mittens and an ipod cozy are complete. Coming up next- yoga mat bag! June 2, 2009
Posted by cheryl in Leah, Work in Progress.2 comments
Leah says… It appears I have not slowed my knitting down with the arrival of warm weather. Ummm, well living in Toronto, I can’t really say that warm weather has arrived actually, more like; made an appearance. But still, I knit on! I have completed my first christmas present, the mittens and drop stitch scarf are for a friend.
I hope that friend doesnt read this blog, but she might, so lets hope if she does she doesn’t know they are for her, and if she does know, then maybe she’ll forget by Christmas time. Anyway, one present is done. Now I’m knitting a yoga mat bag, which I am very excited about. That’s because I have bought this Passport to Prana yoga pass- google it, would you, it is such a fantastic deal!!! I’ve started yoga classes! So I’ve got my yoga mat, and in SnB Nation, there is a pattern for a bag to fit it called “Om Yoga Mat Bag” – it seems to measure VERY big (11″ diametre- who has a yoga mat that thick, huh?) so I’m knitting it to fit my own bag. (4″ in diameter)
As for the toddler mittens- the designer, bex at Colourful Designs saw the pics on my ravelry account and asked to use pictures of them on her design page of her website, cool, huh?
After the yoga mat bag, I’m back to knitting presents- two table runners (made out of linen wool, easy for summer knitting yay!!) and then, ah, gee, who knows? It is bicycle season, so J and I will be out a lot this summer, hopefully!
Stay tuned for yoga mat pics coming soon to this blog that’s hopefully near you!
C to the U-TE May 13, 2009
Posted by cheryl in Finished Projects, Leah, Mittens.Tags: toddle fingerless gloves
3 comments
Leah says … Aren’t they adorable? I’m not the type of person to swoon over baby clothes and toys and things, but these…? They have been making me coo and caw ever since I knit the 1st centimetre. The little thumbs! The little palms!!
There is a bit of an issue with the thumb on the right hand- the left hand is great, but for some reason the right hand thumb gusset didn’t come out the same. I even knit the right hand mitten again and it came out the exact same. I can’t wait to see them on the recipient, a two and a half year old sweetheart, soon to be a big sister!
Next I am thinking of taking Marri’s advice and knitting with cotton and linen, seeing as I really hate not working on a project. And I just found an easy and gorgeous table runner pattern knit with linen that can make a nice gift for my Momsie for Christmas.
My new dream? To move to Niagara-on-the-Lake and open a knitting store. And be a wine connoiseur. And act at the Shaw Festival. Happy Knitting, and Happy Long Weekend!
